F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Reveals Toll Of 2023 Season - "Emotionally Drained"

Lewis Hamilton reveals he is "emotionally drained" after the 2023 season.

After a long and hectic 2023 season of 22 Grand Prix events, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton revealed that he was "emotionally drained." What added to the stress was the major shift in time zone from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi toward the end of the season. 

Hamilton went through a second year without a Grand Prix victory. His W14 had been a constant problem child throughout the year, mostly delivering unpredictable results that were difficult for the team to fathom and work on.

His inability to perform and deliver was clearly a car problem. Mercedes went entirely in the wrong direction in the ground effect era from 2022, only to realize and opt for the Red Bull route this year. But, applying corrections and testing them also demands time.

High hopes have been set for 2024 as the team applies all its might to develop the W15 car. But Hamilton's already had enough this season. With the onset of the winter break, maybe some time off is what would help him most. Speaking to RacingNews365, he explained:

“I’m not burnt out.

“I’d rather not keep going into the season but I think for me I’m just more emotionally drained at the end of the year.

“It definitely has been so difficult for everybody here, all the teams moving from Las Vegas out to [Abu Dhabi]. I think it should be better next year.

"It’s obviously a very long season. I think really with all the negativity in the world as well, it’s been quite draining just to maintain a positive mindset through the year.”

The Mercedes driver sounds as if he was pushing this season for the sake of it, knowing that the car wouldn't support him in beating Max Verstappen's RB19. To carry on each race with that awareness in mind is a challenge in itself. Hamilton concluded the season with a P3 finish in the Drivers' Standings.

Mercedes AMG F1 Media